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The Five Features That Help 2014 Silverado & Sierra Owners Tow

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Whether or not you’re a fan of GM’s all-new 2014 Silverado or 2014 Sierra, the fact remains that the two pickup trucks are extremely capable. And besides the all-new Small Block engine range, the new exterior, and interior design, the two trucks feature the latest suite of technologies for trailering capability, from acceleration and control to safety and braking. And considering that 6 in 10 full-size pickup owners use their trucks for trailering, according to GM survey data, that’s a good thing.

So, what do GM’s completely re-designed and re-engineered K2XX-based trucks offer to those who like (or have) to tow? Quite a bit.

Hill Start Assist

Before moving, the trucks’ integrated systems are monitoring conditions and preparing the truck to perform. When the system detects that the truck is on a grade of roughly 5 percent or higher, Hill Start Assist automatically engages the Silverado’s and Sierra’s brakes for 1.5 seconds, or until the gas pedal is pressed, thereby keeping the truck from rolling backward.

The feature should prove particularly useful in key towing launch scenarios, such as when climbing a boat launch.

Tow/Haul Mode

Tow/Haul helps the driver take full advantage of the Silverado’s and Sierra’s powerful EcoTec3 engines. Activated by a button on the shift lever, Tow/Haul modifies the shift mapping of the trucks’ standard six-speed transmission.

The result is higher shift points for more power under acceleration, and earlier downshifts to promote engine braking, thereby reducing wear on the vehicles’ disc brakes.

In addition, Tow/Haul mode activates Sierra’s Trailer Grade Braking when the driver lightly applies the brakes, thereby initiating downshifts to assist with braking on long downgrades. Auto Grade Braking not only slows the vehicle more efficiently, but can also reduce brake rotor temperatures by 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) during a braking event.

And for those drivers who prefer to be in completely control of their truck’s shifting, improved TapShift controls on the shift lever are complemented by a patent-pending shift algorithm that improves shift response time by up to 60 percent compared to previous systems. Using TapShift controls deactivates the Trailer Grade Braking, since the driver is manually controlling gearshifts.

Trailer Sway Control

Trailer Sway Control works in conjunction with the standard StabiliTrak stability control system to deliver additional assistance when towing a trailer. When the system senses trailer sway, it intervenes by braking and/or reducing the engine power, thereby helping to bring the trailer under control and keeping it on its intended path. Trailer Sway Control is also capable of using the electric trailer brakes when a trailer is connected to the standard wiring harness of the truck.

Trailer Brake Controller

Speaking of braking the trailer, Silverado and Sierra owners can fine-tune a trailer’s braking performance from the driver’s seat. With an available high-mounted Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, the driver can adjust the level of output to the electric trailer brakes (otherwise known as or gain), using buttons to the left of the steering wheel. The Driver Information Center (DIC) on the instrument cluster displays the necessary system information.

In particular, the Trailer Brake Controller allows drivers to quickly alter trailer brake force based on the trailer’s weight. If, for instance, a trailer is loaded with heavy building materials, the driver can adjust the controller to higher trailer gain, and then lower it on the return trip after unloading the cargo, thereby minimizing the chance of locking up the trailer’s wheels.

Up To 12,000-Pound Towing Capacity

Equipped with the optional Max Trailering Package, the 2014 Sierra and 2014 Silverado are capable of a class-leading 12,000 pounds of maximum towing when powered by the optional 6.2 liter EcoTec3 V8 L86 engine.

Available on 2WD and 4WD crew cab and double cab models, the Max Trailering Package includes:

Trailering package with seven-pin and four-pin connector

Enhanced cooling

Automatic locking rear differential

Heavy-duty 9.75-inch rear axle with 3.73 ratio

Increased-capacity rear leaf springs

Revised shock tuning for increased control

Integrated trailer brake controller

So, what are you planning on towing with your über-capable and highly-competent 2014 Sierra or 2014 Silverado? Talk to us in the comments.

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I was guessing it would have increased capacity springs. They are probably gunning for best in class payload with the 6.2 as well. I remember at the reveal jeff luke said that the 6.2 would make the new trucks offer best in class capability all around!

when will the max package be available. i went to the local dealer the sales person said it was included, sales people are clueless.
i need the 6.2 with max tow, gm need to speed up the process, very slow bringing this to market while my brother and i are ready to buy. lucky we are GM cause ford starting to look better every day

I am waiting for the max towing package and will be towing a Casita trailer. I just like a lot of capacity in reserve and have the option of getting a bigger trailer. The one thing I don’t understand is that it looks like the 6.2 v-8 is only offered in the top end trims. Aren’t a lot of trucks sold for work instead of play? I would think a lot of construction people and ranchers would want this option without having to order the most expensive trim package.

After waiting all fall for the max trailering package, I talked to two GMC dealers and both said it was no problem. I ordered the new truck on Nov. 4th. The dealer I ordered it from had a little trouble figuring out the camper mirrors as the computer wouldn’t take that order but they called a day later and said they had it. So basically the computer took the order exactly as I wanted it. If the truck comes without the 3.73 rear end, I will decline it. We are already looking at a larger trailer as the 17 ft. Casita is a little small.

I ordered the GMC Sierra crew cab SLE with the 5.3 engine. The dealer said anywhere from four to six weeks for delivery. Both dealers also said that customers orders get priority over other orders. One other factor for ordering besides the max trailer package was that virtually every truck on dealers lots had a black interior. I like my tans and browns.
But the main use of this vehicle will be towing a camper trailer on trips around the country plus a trip is planned up to Alaska. That max trailering package was the number one option that I wanted on this truck. Plus I like the brake controller being factory. People have complained about the add ons. Also after reading a lot of information on the internet, I believe that the 3.73 ratio is kind of the best of both worlds if you are going to do any towing at all. I also like the weight of this truck with the four wheel drive. The truck will be in charge of the trailer and not the other way around. I want something where I only use about a third of my towing capacity. Bigger is better. What Wyom was told by his Chevy dealer, I don’t know. Kind of makes me a little nervous. Plus building your vehicle on line can be an exercise in patience. It will take this, it won’t take this, can’t have this without that and on and on. I just made out my list and gave it to the dealer. I Expect the truck in the week of Dec. 15th.

We purchased a 2014 in August. The dealer had no factory installed max tows but assured us they could add one. We tow a 30 ft. Cougar Travel Trailer. When we went to have the max tow added we were told an add on was not available. My husband called a dealer in a larger city and was told they were having many customers wanting the max tow but Chev had not made a factory add on but were hurrying to try to design one. In late March we were told Chev did not have an add on and were not planning to have one. We have only pulled in flat areas (West Texas) but are concerned about pulling in mountainous areas without the additional braking system. As far as having an alternative system added, our RV dealer says there is no plug in so they will have to tie into the wiring, but are unable to locate the correct wiring. Our local dealer refuses to trade for a factory installed truck at a reduced cost. They made a promise and now won’t live up to it. The Lubbock dealer we contacted is have an enormous amount of complaints about the missing tow add on.

I purchased a 2014 Sierra SLT 5.3 Litre Z71 with the tow haul engine braking feature. 400 Miles on it when I tried it out the tow haul mode without a trailer attached on a rather steep road with the trailer mode on. The truck downshifted nice at 65mph and slowed the truck down rather fast. The rpms were high, around 3500. It was working great and held me at 55 mph when all of a sudden the truck downshifted again and locked up the rear axle and sent me into a skid/fishtail – luckily I had my seat belt on as it almost put me into the windshield and I almost lost it in the ditch, had I been towing my camper, I would have jackknifed and probably been killed. I had a similiar feature in my 2011 Ram 1500 that worked great, and could be used with or without a trailer. The dealer said it wouldn’t have happened had my trailer been hooked up, which I responded bullshit as it is also used for carrying heavy loads in the bed. Had I had cargo in the bed, it would have sent it through the rear window.

I have a 2014 Duramax with factory brake controller. Hadn’t used until this trip. Thought everything was fine until “big down hill” trailer brakes didn’t work. I was pulling a 5th wheel and up til then, must have been truck brakes doing all the work. 5th wheel has electric over hydraulic brakes.
When activated, no lights come on.
Book says something to the point, that the controller only works on electric brakes, not electric over hydraulic. This doesn’t make since, but if true, whats the FIX ?
ken